This is my latest 250 word microstory for #FlashThursday on Facebook. I wanted to branch away from all the mystery stuff I tend to do this week, and so I went a little more romantic with this one. Hope you enjoy it. Love Story She never moved from that desk in the library. Every day... Continue Reading →

Jumping Spider Why are spiders so damned scary I know, they have eight wiggly legs No, maybe it’s because they’re hairy Did you know they lay tiny eggs Nothing’s freakier than eight beady eyes A face full of silky web, will make you scream A spider’s your friend, it catches nasty flies And yet it... Continue Reading →

Presenting my 750 word challenge story for the above picture by Russian Illustrator Anton Semenov. This challenge was set by Miranda Kate, please find her on twitter @PurpleQueenNL The challenge is part of her #midweekflash game on Facebook, and the link is below the story. Enjoy. Ancient Aliens “Stop, Siro! There’s an opening.” Pieter raised... Continue Reading →

This is my first ever story prompt entry for #Menage Monday on Facebook. A competition created by Cara Michaels. I don't believe it, but it won too! For Nature The area used to be a beautiful forest. Trees, animals, all replaced by that grey monstrosity of a building, and its lifeless carparks. They broke the... Continue Reading →

This is my winning story for week 363 of the #ThursThreads competition. Thanks to judge Cara Michaels for choosing me & Siobhan Muir for making the competition possible. Hope you like it! Writing Rules. “Your assignment is to write a two-hundred-and-fifty-word story about whatever you like. The only thing I asked is that you follow... Continue Reading →

Presenting my 750 word challenge story for the above picture by Russian photographer Daniel Kordan . This challenge was set by Miranda Kate, please find her on twitter @PurpleQueenNL The challenge is part of her #midweekflash game on Facebook, and the link is below the story. Enjoy. Awakening Waking up should all leave you feeling well-rested,... Continue Reading →

A 250 word flash story challenge for Facebooks Thursday Threads, game. The prompt: 'It begins with fire.' Fire of Vengeance It always starts with a fire, not a physical flame, but an event igniting a mental flame in your heart, your soul. A flame that becomes a fire of desire, or revenge. For him the... Continue Reading →

I am delighted to have my friend and fellow author, Mason Bushell visit my blog today to share her experience of mapping the scenes of chapters in her writing. Thank you so much for visiting, Mason and for sharing your writing tips with me and my readers today.

To have a balanced well written story it’s essential to map it out. You can of course do this as you go. A better approach is to complete your map before you begin writing. My method is a story skeleton, as follows

Begin with the synopsis. Usually no more than a page of work that outlines the main story from start to finish. This gives a firm base from which to build the full story.

Next start the skeleton by writing out each chapter number and bulleting sections, 1-3 beneath each heading. Note; ‘Twenty to twenty five chapters tends to get you…

Hello, Everybody, I’m Holly Ward, Head Waitress of the Workhouse Restaurant. I wanted to give you a little insight into giving great service as a waitress or waiter in any food establishment. To do the job as professionally and respectfully as possible goes far beyond taking an order. It begins with knowing a lot of... Continue Reading →